Dreams (New Beginnings Book 3) by Michelle Lynn Read Free Book Online Page B

close. She shifted away from him slightly. There was something about Josh that drew her to him, but it made her uncomfortable so she wanted to keep her distance.
    As they watched the movie, he glanced at her every few minutes. His arm rested on the back of the couch, stretching towards her.
    “You’re going to mess up my hair if you keep doing that,” Taylor said after he had been playing with the wet strands for a few minutes.
    “Hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but it’s already messed up.”
    She started combing her fingers through it self-consciously. It had started to dry funny, and there was no helping it.
    “Maybe if it was as long and pretty as yours, the rain wouldn’t ruin it. Can I use some of your product? You must have tons of it.”
    “Oh,” he said, cupping his hands around his mouth. “She makes a joke, ladies and gentlemen.”
    “I make jokes!”
    “Nah, you’re always so serious.” He touched her cheek lightly. “I just want to see you smile.”
    Taylor’s stomach clenched as she looked into his eyes. “I want to smile,” she admitted, finally looking away. “I just …”
    “Can’t,” he finished for her. “We’re going to change that.”
    “How do you expect to do that? I barely know you.”
    “You know me.” His voice grew quiet and it was his turn to look embarrassed. He shook it off. “You had fun running through the rain, didn’t you?”
    “I guess I did.”
    “Then that’s how we do it. I don’t want you to think right now. I just want you to say the first spontaneous thing that pops into your mind. Something you want to do.”
    Something I want to do? She thought. Then she remembered she wasn’t supposed to be thinking.
    “Come on. Give me a quick answer,” Josh said.
    Before she knew what she was doing, Taylor leaned over and pressed her lips to his. His eyes widened in surprise, but he didn’t pull away. His arms snaked around her back as she continued to kiss him. Her brain was yelling at her to stop, but she just wanted to feel something. And Josh made her feel everything.
    Tears slid down her face, leaving a salty taste on both their lips. It brought Taylor back to reality. She pulled away and scrambled off the couch.
    “I’m sorry,” she said, trying to hold in the sobs that were threatening to break free. “I have to go.”
    She ran towards the door with Josh calling her back.
    “Taylor, are you okay?” he asked, confusion clouding his voice.
    “Fine.” A sob broke free as she stepped into the waiting elevator.
    “At least let me drive you home,” he pleaded.
    “Please, Josh. Just let me go.”
    The elevator doors closed, leaving her alone in the silence. It was late now and still raining buckets. She was soaked within seconds of leaving the building behind, but she didn’t care.
    The rain washed the tears from her face, but her chest convulsed with painful sobs.
    Taylor looked to the sky, letting the rain drops sting her eyes and roll down her face. “I’m so sorry, Danny,” she cried. She dropped to the curb and put her head in her hands. “I love you, so much. I’ll never stop, but I need your help. I want to live my life again. Help me get over you. Please.”
     
    ###
     
    The rain started to let up by the time a car pulled up in front of Taylor. She was huddled under the overhang of a nearby building. She shivered as she slid into the passenger seat.
    “You’re soaking wet,” Abigail said.
    “It’s raining.” Taylor shrugged and held her arms closer to her body to try for a little warmth.
    As if reading her mind, Abigail adjusted the vents so warm air could circulate inside the car. She then looked sideways at her passenger, expecting some kind of explanation. They still barely knew each other, so Taylor wasn’t exactly wanting to bare her soul. She hadn’t known who to call to come get her. Her parents would’ve freaked, and she hadn’t made any friends at school yet. So, she called her roommate, hoping she was still